Manager - Operations

Franklin Templeton has built an industry leading range of capabilities across traditional and alternative asset classes through strategic acquisitions. To offer these capabilities to Japanese investors, Product team aims to expand our product line-up.

We are looking for a Manager for fund accounting team, Operations to join the team in Japan.

• The fund accounting manager is responsible for overseeing fund accounting activities for Japan-domiciled investment trusts. The role focuses on ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of NAV calculations, maintaining strong accounting controls, and providing effective oversight of custodians and outsourced service providers. It might include separately managed accounts.

• This position works closely with internal stakeholders, global teams, and external service providers to support day-to-day operations, regulatory compliance, and ongoing process enhancements in a global asset management environment.

• Proven experience in handling irregular or non-routine issues is required.

• Opportunity to work in a leading global asset management firm

• A role that combines technical fund accounting expertise with governance, oversight, and process improvement

Experience:

Required Experience

• Approximately 5–8 years of hands-on experience in fund accounting, primarily supporting mutual funds or investment trusts, including daily NAV calculation and core accounting processes.

• Experience handling non-routine or exception items (e.g. pricing differences, accrual issues, processing delays), with the ability to investigate, document findings, and escalate matters appropriately.

• Experience supporting the stable operation of fund accounting processes, including adherence to established controls, procedures, and review standards.

• Exposure to new fund set-ups and/or fund terminations, as a primary or supporting team member, with awareness of tight timelines and multiple stakeholders.

• Practical experience working with BPO or outsourced service providers, including day-to-day communication, issue identification, status tracking, and escalation support.

Preferred

• Exposure to complex or non-standard instruments or operational processes, even on a partial or support basis.

• Basic experience or familiarity with separately managed accounts (SMAs).

• Prior experience working with global or regional teams, using English in a business or operational context.

• Experience participating as a team member in vendor oversight, process improvement, or project-based initiatives involving internal and external stakeholders.

Expertise/Knowledge:

• Fund Accounting & NAV Oversight

  • Support the review of daily and periodic NAV calculations for Japan-domiciled investment trusts.

  • Perform initial investigation of valuation discrepancies, price breaks, accrual issues, and unusual fluctuations, and escalate issues as needed.

  • Assist in reviewing accounting treatment for securities valuation, income accruals, corporate actions, coupon processing, and redemptions.

  • Ensure accounting outcomes are aligned with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and fund documentation.

• Custodian, Trust Bank & Outsourcing Oversight

  • Act as a key operational contact (primary or backup) for custodians, trust banks, and BPO service providers.

  • Communicate instructions clearly, respond to routine inquiries, and track progress on outstanding items.

  • Support monitoring of service delivery against agreed SLAs and KPIs.

  • Assist with root cause analysis, issue documentation, and remediation tracking for accounting errors or operational incidents.

• Governance, Risk & Regulatory Support

  • Support compliance with Japan regulatory requirements applicable to investment trust accounting

  • Assist with internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and ad hoc information requests

  • Maintain and update fund accounting procedures, checklists, and control documentation.

  • Contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening the overall governance and control framework.

• Projects & Continuous Improvement

  • Support accounting aspects of fund launches, liquidation, mergers, and product changes

  • Participate in system implementations, migrations, and process improvement initiatives

  • Collaborate with global and regional teams to align local processes with global standards and best practices

Competency:

• High attention to detail with a strong risk and control mindset

• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders across functions and geographies

• Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, global organization

• “Think globally, act locally” approach to problem-solving

PC and Language Skills:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for reporting and operational communication.

• Excellent business-level communication skills in Japanese and English, with experience working in a global environment.

• Hands-on experience with fund accounting and related systems, such as T-STAR TX, GX-Light, FundWeb, Xnet, Bloomberg, market pricing vendor systems, and custody bank web platforms, or equivalent systems.

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